Recording and/or reproducing apparatus for tape-shaped recording medium

ABSTRACT

A tape recorder for recording and/or reproducing information signals by relative sliding contact between a rotary magnetic head provided on the rotary head unit and a magnetic tape having information signals recorded on it. 
     The tape recorder includes a rotary head unit having a rotary drum and a stationary drum coaxially mounted as and rotatably supporting the rotary drum. The rotary drum has a head mounted on it and is run in rotation for forcing the head into sliding contact with the tape-shaped recording medium run in one or the other direction. The tape recorder also includes a pair of supporting members rotatably supported by the rotary head unit, a pair of capstans rotatably supported by the rotary head unit, and a pair of pinch rolls arranged facing the capstans. The supporting members are rotated responsive to the running direction of the tape-shaped recording medium for selectively moving one of the capstans towards one of the pinch rolls. The selected capstan clamps and runs the tape-shaped recording medium in cooperation with the selected pinch roll by way of changing over the running direction of the magnetic tape.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for atape-shaped recording medium for recording and/or reproducinginformation signals by a head of a rotary head unit having a slidingcontact with the tape-shaped recording medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There has hitherto been employed a helical scan tape recorder in which arotatable magnetic head provided in a rotary head unit has a slidingcontact with a magnetic tape which is wound about the perimetricalsurface of the rotary head unit and which is run in one or the otherdirection in order to effect recording and/or reproduction ofinformation signals. With this type of the tape recorder, a tapecassette having a magnetic tape wound across a pair of tape reelsrotatably mounted within a cassette unit is employed as a recordingmedium.

In a tape recorder having a tape cassette and a rotary head unit as arecording medium and as recording and/or reproducing means forinformation signals, respectively, it has been proposed to cause arotationally driven magnetic head of the rotary head unit to have arelative sliding contact with a running magnetic tape within thecassette unit in order to effect recording and/or reproduction ofinformation signals.

By utilizing such a design in which the rotary head unit extends intothe cassette unit, the tape recorder itself may be reduced in size.

Specifically, the tape cassette as a recording medium is loaded into aposition within a recorder main body of the tape recorder. When the tapecassette is loaded in its loaded position, a pair of reel driving shaftsprovided on the tape recorder side extend into and are engaged by a pairof tape reels of the tape cassette. If one or both of reel drivingshafts are rotatably driven, the magnetic tape wound across a pair oftape reels travels from the supply side tape reel towards the takeupside tape reel.

The portion of the magnetic tape wound within the tape cassette which isrun across the tape reels is exposed outwardly by means of an openedface of the cassette unit. The magnetic tape is exposed through thefront surface side of the cassette unit facing the rotary head unit.When the tape cassette is loaded in position within the tape recorder,the rotary head unit is extended into the tape cassette from the frontside of the cassette unit so as to have a sliding contact with themagnetic tape.

Within the tape cassette, a pinch roller is provided at the reverse sideof the magnetic tape running across the tape reels which is opposite tothe front side thereof facing outwardly of the cassette. The pinchroller is formed of a high frictional coefficient material, such asbutyl rubber, and is cylindrically-shaped and rotatably mounted with itsouter peripheral surface in sliding contact with the reverse surface ofthe magnetic tape.

On the other hand, the rotary head unit provided on the tape recorderside is provided with a cylindrically-shaped stationary drum and arotary drum which is mounted coaxially with the stationary drum andwhich is rotatably supported with respect to the stationary drum. Themagnetic tape is wrapped around the stationary drum and the rotary drum.The magnetic head is mounted on the surface of the rotary drum facingthe stationary drum and is slightly protruded from the outer peripheralsurface of the rotary drum. By being mounted integrally with the rotarydrum, the magnetic head is rotated in unison with the rotary drum.

When the above-described tape cassette is loaded in position within thetape recorder, the rotary head unit is extended into the tape cassettethrough the opened front surface of the cassette half. With the rotaryhead unit thus extended into the tape cassette, the magnetic taperunning across the tape reels is wrapped over the peripheral surfacesthereof at a predetermined angle in order to achieve relative slidingcontact between the magnetic head and the magnetic tape.

When the rotary head unit is partially extended into the inside of thetape cassette loaded in position, the rotary head unit is supported bythe tape cassette to be positioned relative to the tape cassette. Thatis, the rotary head unit is positioned with the tape cassette thusloaded in position as an intrusion reference position.

The rotary head device is provided with a capstan adapted for runningthe magnetic tape at a constant velocity in cooperation with the pinchroller provided within the tape cassette. The capstan is rotatablymounted at the distal end of a capstan supporting arm which is, in turn,rotatably mounted with respect to the stationary drum. The capstan ismoved towards the pinch roller within the tape cassette by being rotatedrelative to the stationary drum for clamping the magnetic tape incooperation with the pinch roller. The magnetic tape is run at aconstant velocity by the capstan being rotated by rotational drivingmeans, such as a driving motor. As a result of the magnetic tape beingrun at a constant velocity and the rotary drum of the rotary head unitbeing rotated, the magnetic tape has a sliding contact with the magnetichead, so that information signals may be recorded on or reproduced fromthe recording track formed at a fixed angle of inclination relative tothe longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape.

Meanwhile, with the above-described tape recorder, when the magnetictape is run in one direction, a slanted recording track is formed on anupper half-width portion of the magnetic tape, whereas, when themagnetic tape is run in the opposite direction, a slanted recordingtrack is formed on a lower half-width portion of the magnetic tape. thatis, by running the magnetic tape in both the forward and reversedirections, information signals may be recorded across the total widthof the magnetic tape.

For recording information signals on the upper and lower half widthportions of the magnetic tape, it is necessary to reverse the runningdirection of the magnetic tape. In order to reverse the runningdirection of the magnetic tape, it is necessary to reverse the surfaceof the tape cassette mounted in a cassette loading unit within the taperecorder. That is, it is necessary to reverse the loading state of thetape cassette in the cassette loading unit. Consequently, theinformation signals cannot be recorded on both the upper and lower widthportions of the magnetic tape by simply reversing the running directionof the magnetic tape. For reproducing the information signals recordedon the upper and lower width portions of the magnetic tape, it becomessimilarly necessary to reverse the loading state of the tape cassette inthe cassette loading unit.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording and/orreproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium employing arotary head unit which enable information signals to be recorded onand/or reproduced from upper and lower width portions of the tape-shapedrecoding medium without reversing the loading state of the tape cassettein the cassette loading unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recordingand/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium in whichthe tape-shaped recording medium in sliding contact with the rotary headunit provided with a rotary head is run in opposite directions forrecording and/or reproducing information signals, and which may befurther reduced in size.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recordingand/or reproducing apparatus having a rotary head unit having improvedmaneuverability.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a recordingand/or reproducing apparatus having a rotary head unit with improvedrecording/reproducing characteristics.

For accomplishing the above objects, the present invention provides arecording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recordingmedium in which a rotary head provided in the rotary head unit isbrought into sliding contact with the tape-shaped recording medium forrecording/reproducing information signals.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a rotary head devicehaving a rotary drum and a stationary drum coaxially mounted with androtatably supported by the rotary drum. The rotary drum has a head andis rotated to force the head into sliding contact with the tape-shapedrecording medium run in either the forward or the reverse direction, apair of supporting members rotatably supported by the rotary head unit,a pair of capstans with each capstan being rotatably supported by one ofthe supporting members, and a pair of pinch rollers facing the capstans.The supporting members are rotated responsive to the running directionof the tape-shaped recording medium for selectively moving one of thecapstans towards one of the pinch rollers. The selected capstan engagesand moves the tape-shaped recording medium in cooperation with theselected pinch roller. The supporting members are rotated in response tothe running direction of the tape-shaped recording medium forselectively moving one of the capstans towards one of the pinch rollers.The selected capstan engages and moves the tape-shaped recording mediumcooperation with the selected pinch roller by means of changing therunning direction of the magnetic tape.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recordingmedium of the present invention includes a slide base supporting therotary head unit. The slide base is movable in a direction of bringingthe rotary head unit into and out of contact with the tape-shapedrecording medium. The slide base when thus moved causes the rotary headunit to impinge upon and be separated from the tape-shaped recordingmedium, a running direction setting lever to be moved in one or theother direction depending on the running direction of the tape-shapedrecording medium, and conjunctive connecting arms rotatably supported bythe slide base for connecting the running direction setting lever toeach of the supporting members supporting the capstan. The conjunctiveconnecting arms selectively rotate one of the supporting members whenthe running direction setting lever is moved, depending on the directionof movement of the running direction setting lever.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for tape-shaped recordingmedium of the present invention also includes a cam member for movingthe slide base. The cam member has a first cam groove engaged by therunning direction setting lever. The cam member when rotated cause therunning direction setting lever to be moved in one or the otherdirection and also causes the slide base to be moved in a direction inwhich the rotary head unit impinges upon or is separated from thetape-shaped recording medium.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recordingmedium of the present invention also includes a running state settinglever for setting the fast feed state or the rewind state setting leveris engaged in the first cam groove in the cam member and is moved in oneor the other direction upon rotation of the cam member.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recordingmedium of the present invention also includes a link mechanism forshifting the slide base by rotation of the cam member in a direction inwhich the rotary head unit impinges upon or is separated from thetape-shaped recording medium,

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recordingmedium of the present invention also includes a changeover drivingmechanism for selectively driving the reel driving shafts forselectively changing over the running direction of the tape-shapedrecording medium in the tape cassette upon detecting the end of therunning tape-shaped recording medium. The changeover driving mechanismselectively rotates one of the paired supporting members based on therunning direction of the tape-shaped recording medium for engaging andmoving the tape-shaped recording medium by one of the capstans and thepinch roller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a preferred embodiment of a taperecorder having a rotary head unit for running the magnetic tape inforward and reverse directions for recording and/or reproducinginformation signals according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a modification of a tape recorderand a tape recorder cassette loaded on the tape recorder, with a portionof the tape recorder cassette being shown in an exploded view.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing features of the taperecorder shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the tape recorder shown in FIG. 2 in thepaused mode.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the tape recorder shown in FIG. 2 in thestop mode.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a rotary head unit incorporated in thetape recorder of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the rotary head unit shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a tape cassette employed inthe tape recorder according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing the tape recorder in the pausemode.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the tape recorder in the stateof running the magnetic tape in the forward direction.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing the tape recorder in the stateof running the magnetic tape in the reverse direction.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing recording tracks of the magnetic tape onwhich information signals are recorded by the tape recorder of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An example of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus for atape-shaped recording medium in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention is hereinafter explained. The recording and/orreproducing apparatus for the tape-shaped recording medium of thepresent invention is a tape recorder employing a magnetic tape as arecording medium.

The tape recorder includes a rotary head unit 225 associated with a pairof capstans 207, 214, as shown in FIG. 1. Depending upon the runningdirection of a magnetic tape 108, one of the capstans 207 and 214 isselectively employed for running the magnetic tape 108 in a forward or areverse direction at a constant rate in order to achieve sliding contactof the magnetic tape with the magnetic head for recording and/orreproducing information signals on or from the upper and lower halfwidth portions of the magnetic tape 108. That is, an automatic reversetype tape recorder apparatus is designed in which, by running themagnetic tape 108 in the forward and reverse directions, the informationsignals may be recorded on or reproduced from the upper and lower halfwidth portions of the magnetic tape 108.

With the automatic reverse type tape recorder, shown in FIG. 1, thecapstan 207 is rotatably mounted at an end of a first capstan supportingare 268 which is rotatably supported at its mid portion by a pivot 261provided on the upper end surface of a stationary upper drum of therotary head unit 225. The opposite side capstan 214 is rotatably mountedat an end of a second capstan supporting arm 270 which is rotatablysupported at its mid portion by a pivot 262 provided on the upper endsurface of a stationary upper drum of the rotary head unit 225. Thesecapstans 207, 214 are associated with and exposed to a pair of pinchrollers 104, 105 mounted within the tape cassette loaded on the taperecorder.

The pair of capstan supporting arms 268, 270, carrying the capstans 207,214 at one end thereof, are rotationally biased by a tension spring 267,mounted between the opposite ends of the capstan supporting arms 268,270, in a direction in which the opposite ends of the capstan supportingarms approach each other, with pivots 261, 262 as the center ofrotation, as indicated by arrows f and g in FIG. 1. With the capstansupporting arms 268, 270 thus rotationally biased by the tension spring276, the capstans 207, 214, mounted on one end of the capstan supportingarms 268, 270, are biased towards the pinch rollers 104, 105 asindicated by arrows c and e in FIG. 1.

On the opposite ends of the capstan supporting arms 268, 270, a taperunning direction setting lever 248 is extended at generally rightangles to these capstan supporting arms 268, 270. Responsive to theselected running direction of the magnetic tape 108, the tape runningdirection setting lever 248 is selectively slid in a direction shown byarrow b or in a direction shown by arrow d in FIG. 1 for changing overthe meshing state of a gear, not shown, adapted for rotating a reeldriving shaft, also not shown. The tape running direction setting lever248 has a protrusion 266 which extends into a space between the capstansupporting arms 268, 270. The protrusion 266 extends into the spacebetween the capstan supporting arms 268, 270 so as to be clamped betweenthe opposite ends of the capstan supporting arms 268, 270 which arerotationally biased by the tension spring 267. Thus the capstansupporting arms 268, 270, connected to each other by means of thetension spring 267, are rotated in unison about the pivots 261, 262 asthe center of rotation, in accordance with the sliding direction of thetape running direction setting lever 248.

The tape running direction setting lever 248 and the capstan supportingarms 268, 270 supporting the capstans 207, 214 are rotated in accordancewith the sliding direction of the tape running direction setting lever248 to create a changeover driving unit for selectively changing overthe running direction of the magnetic tape 108.

The rotary head unit 225 is arranged on a slide base 201 arranged forbeing movable in a direction towards the magnetic tape 108 shown byarrow a in FIG. 1 and in a direction away from the magnetic tape 108opposite to that shown by arrow a in FIG. 1. With the slide base 201being slid by means of an operating arm 235 in the direction shown byarrow a and in the opposite direction, the rotary head unit 225 is movedin the directions towards and away from the magnetic tape 108.

When the magnetic tape 108 is run in the direction shown by arrow h inFIG. 1, the tape running direction setting lever 248 is slid in adirection shown by arrow b in FIG. 1. With the tape running directionsetting lever 248 thus slid in the direction shown by arrow b in FIG. 1,the first capstan supporting are 268 is rotated in a direction shown byarrow f in FIG. 1, with the pivot 261 as the center of rotation, therebymoving the capstan 207 mounted on one end of the first capstansupporting arm 268 towards the pinch roll 104 within the tape cassette.The capstan 207 thus approaching the pinch roller 104 clamps themagnetic tape 108 in cooperation with the pinch roller 104. With thecapstan 207 being rotated by the driving motor, the magnetic tape 108 isrun at a constant speed in a direction shown by arrow h in FIG. 1. Withthe magnetic tape 108 being run at the constant speed, the magnetic headof the rotary head unit 225 is rotated. Thus a sliding contact isachieved between the magnetic tape 108 and the magnetic head to therebyform slanted recording tracks in the upper half width portion of themagnetic tape 108 so that information signals may be recorded on orreproduced from the upper half width portion of the magnetic tape 108.

When the magnetic tape 108 is run in the opposite direction shown byarrow j in FIG. 1, the tape running direction setting lever 248 is slidin a direction shown by arrow d in FIG. 1. This causes the secondcapstan supporting arm 270 to be rotated about the pivot 262 in adirection shown by arrow g in FIG. 1, so that the opposite capstan 214mounted on one end of the capstan supporting arm 270 is moved in adirection toward the opposite side pinch roller 105. The oppositecapstan 214, thus approaching the opposite pinch roller 105, cooperateswith the pinch roller 105 for clamping the magnetic tape 108therebetween. With the opposite capstan 214 being rotated by the drivingmotor, the magnetic tape 108 is run at a constant speed in the oppositedirection indicated by arrow j in FIG. 1. The magnetic head of therotary head unit 225 is rotated, as in the case of running the magnetictape 108 in the one direction, whereby the magnetic tape 108 is broughtinto sliding contact with the magnetic head for forming slantedrecording tracks in the lower half width portion of the magnetic tape108 so that information signals may be recorded on or reproduced fromthe lower half width portion of the magnetic tape 108.

As described hereinabove, the tape recorder is arranged so that thecapstans 207, 214 are mounted on the capstan supporting arms 268, 270which are rotatably supported about the pivots 261, 262 provided on therotary head unit 225. The capstan supporting arms 268, 270 are rotatedby sliding movement of the tape running direction setting lever 248 tothereby rotate the capstan supporting arms 268, 270 for operating thedesired capstans 207, 214 to produce constant speed running of themagnetic tape 108 responsive to the running direction of the magnetictape 108. When the tape direction setting lever 248 is slid in thedirections b or d in FIG. 1 in order to rotate the capstan supportingarms 268, 270 for changing over the running direction of the magnetictape 108, a risk exists that the force of sliding the tape runningsetting lever 248 by means of the pivots 261, 262 carrying the capstansupporting arms 268, 270 to the rotary head unit 225 can thereby shiftthe position of the rotary head unit 225 relative to the tape cassetteaccommodating the magnetic tape 108.

If the rotary head unit 225 is shifted in its position relative to thetape cassette accommodating the magnetic tape, not only is the slidingcontact of the magnetic head with the running magnetic tape 108 wrappedaround the rotary head unit 225 labile but also the magnetic head isunable to scan the recording track on the magnetic tape 108. As a resultthereof, information signals cannot be recorded nor reproduced withsatisfactory recording/reproducing characteristics.

The specific embodiment of the present invention, which is nowexplained, resolves the above-mentioned drawback, and renders itpossible to prevent the rotary head unit from being shifted in itsposition relative to the tape cassette even on switching the runningdirection of the magnetic tape 108. Accordingly, information signals canbe recorded and/or reproduced with optimum recording/reproducingcharacteristics irrespective of the current running direction of themagnetic tape 108.

Similar to the tape recorder of the previous embodiment, the taperecorder of the present embodiment is a helical scan type recordingand/or reproducing apparatus in which a rotary head unit 25 is employedand the running magnetic tape 108 is wrapped at a predetermined angle onthe outer periphery of the rotary head until 25 in order to provide forrelative sliding contact between the magnetic head of the rotary headunit 25 and the magnetic tape 108 for recording and/or reproducinginformation signals.

With the present tape recorder, a tape cassette having the magnetic tape108 wound about a pair of tape reels rotatably mounted within a cassettehalf 103 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 is employed as a recording medium.The present tape recorder also includes the rotary head 25 which may beextended into and removed from the cassette half 103 loaded on thecassette loading unit within the tape recorder. When moved in adirection shown by an arrow U in FIG. 2, the rotary had unit 25 ispartially extended into the inside of the cassette half 103. At thistime, the magnetic tape 108 running within the cassette half 103 iswrapped over the outer periphery of the rotary head unit at apredetermined angle. The magnetic head within the rotary head unit 25 isbrought into sliding contact with the magnetic tape 108 for recordingand/or reproducing information signals on or from the magnetic tape 108by the magnetic head.

The tape cassette employed in the tape recorder according to the presentinvention is now explained. The tape cassette includes a cassette unit103 including an upper half 101 and a lower half 102 abutted andconnected to each other, as shown in FIG. 8. The cassette unit 103 is arectangular member of a reduced thickness exposed on a front sidethereof which faces the rotary head unit 25 on the tape recorder sidewhen the cassette unit 103 is loaded on the tape recorder. Tape reels106, 107 are rotatably mounted within the cassette unit 103 in aside-by-side relation to each other, and the magnetic tape 108 is woundabout these tape reels 106, 107. The ends of the magnetic tape 108 aresecured to the tape reels 106, 107. The portion of the magnetic tape 108which extends between the tape reel 106 and the opposite tape reel 107is exposed through the opened front surface of the cassette unit 103.

The opened front side of the cassette unit 103 is fitted with asubstantially rectangular lid 118 comprised of a cover plate 118adimensioned to close the opened front side of the cassette unit 103 anda pair of lugs 118a, 118b on either ends of the cover plate. The lid 118is rotatably mounted on the cassette unit 103 by pivots 120, 120provided on the lateral side of the upper half 101 engaged in supportingopenings 119, 119 formed in the lugs 118b, 118c for exposing or closingthe opened front side of the cassette half 103. That is, the lid 118 maybe rotated in a direction shown by arrow N in FIG. 8, about the pivots120, 120 as the center of rotation, for exposing or closing the openedfront side of the cassette half 103.

Reel hubs 109, 110 are securely fitted at mid portions of the tape reels16, 107 which are supported within the cassette unit 103. These reelhubs 109, 110 are generally cylindrical in shape and are provided withcentral reel driving shaft engagement openings 121, 121. In the portionsof the upper and lower inner surfaces of the cassette unit 103, that isthe inner surfaces of the upper half 101-and the lower half 102, boredthrough-holes 114, 115 for the reel driving shafts are provided whichare associated with the reel hubs 109, 110. The reel driving shaftengagement openings 121, 121 in the reel hubs 109, 110 face the uppersurface of the cassette unit 103 via the through-holes 114, 115 for thereel driving shafts.

Within the cassette unit 103, a pair of lubricious sheets 111, 111 forachieving smooth rotation of the tape reels 106, 107 are arranged forsandwiching the tape reels 106, 107 from the upper and lower sides.

Within the cassette unit 103, a pair of rotary head rests 116, 117 arearranged at a mid position of the opened front surface of the cassetteunit 103. The surfaces of the rests 116, 117 facing the front surface ofthe cassette unit 103 are formed as curved surfaces 116a, 117a forming aportion of a cylindrical surface having its radius of curvaturecoincident with that of the outer peripheral surface of the rotary headunit 25 extended into the inside of the cassette unit 103 through itsopened front side. The rotary head rests 116, 117 are provided with wingguide rests 122, 123, respectively, so as to be protruded towards thelateral side of the cassette unit 103. These wing guide rests 122, 123are caused to bear against a wing guide, not shown, provided within therotary head unit 25, when the rotary head unit 25 is extended into thecassette unit 103, for positioning the rotary head unit 25 with respectto the tape cassette.

Within the cassette unit 103, a pair of pinch rollers 104, 105 aremounted between the rotary head rests 116, 117 and the lateral sides ofthe cassette unit 103 which face the back surface of the magnetic tape108 running between the tape reels 106, 107. The pinch rollers 104, 105are designed to permit the magnetic tape 108 to run in the forwarddirection and in the reverse direction, respectively. The pinch rollers104, 105 are generally cylindrically-shaped and formed of a highfrictional coefficient material, such as butyl rubber. The pinch rollersare rotatably mounted within the cassette unit 103, with theirperipheral surfaces being in sliding contact with the back surface ofthe magnetic tape.

The above-described tape recorder, employing the tape cassette as therecording medium, is provided with tape supply side and tape take-upside reel driving shafts 19, 23. These driving shafts 19, 23 are adaptedfor rotationally driving the tape reels 106, 107 by being passed throughand engaged with the reel hubs 109, 110 of the tape cassette loaded onthe tape recorder, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. These reel driving shafts19, 23 are rotatably mounted by means of a chassis, not shown, formingthe main recorder member of the tape recorder.

More specifically, when the tape cassette is loaded on the cassettemounting unit on the chassis, the reeldriving shafts 19, 23 extend intothe cassette half 103 via the through-holes for the reel driving shaft114, 115 so as to be passed through and engaged by the reel hubs 109,110 of the tape reels 106, 107. With the reel driving shafts 19, 23inserted into and engaged by the through-holes for the reel drivingshaft 114, 115, the reel driving shafts 19, 23 are rotated by thedriving motor for rotationally driving the tape reels 106, 107 forrunning the magnetic tape 108.

On the proximal side of the tape take-up side reel driving shaft 19,first and second reel driving shaft gears 18, 33 are mounted coaxiallywith the reel driving shaft 19, as shown in FIG. 3. The first reeldriving shaft gear 19 is larger in diameter than the second reel drivingshaft gear 33. On the proximal side of the tape supply side reel drivingshaft 23, a third reel shaft gear 22 is mounted coaxially with the reeldriving shaft 23. In addition, on the proximal side of the tape take-upside reel driving shaft 19, a tape take-up side gear supporting arm 51is rotatably mounted, as shown in FIG. 4. On the distal side of the tapetake-up side gear supporting arm 51, a fourth reel shaft gear 32 meshingwith the second reel driving shaft gear 18 is rotatably mounted. Sincethe tape take-up side gear supporting arm 51 has its axis of rotationcoincident with the central axis of the tape take-up side reel drivingshaft 19, the fourth reel shaft gear 32 is perpetually engaged with thesecond reel driving shaft 18, even though the tape take-up side gearsupporting arm 51 is rotated.

On the proximal side of the tape supply side reel driving shaft 23, atape supply side gear supporting arm 52 is rotatably mounted, as shownin FIGS. 4 and 5. On the distal side of the tape supply gear supportingarm 52, a fifth reel driving shaft gear 21 meshing with the third reeldriving shaft gear 22 is rotatably mounted. Since the tape supply sidegear supporting arm 52 has its axis of rotation coincident with thecentral axis of the tape supply side reel driving shaft 23, the fifthreel shaft gear 21 is perpetually engaged with the third reel drivingshaft gear 22, even though the tape supply side gear supporting arm 52is rotated.

On top of the reel driving shafts 19, 23, a square-shaped cassetteholder 65 of a size large enough to hold the tape cassette is provided,as shown in FIG. 1. The tape cassette is inserted into the cassetteholder 65, with the front side of the tape cassette carrying the lid 118first, in a direction shown by arrow K in FIG. 1.

The cassette holder 65, employed in the tape recorder, is opened at itsback side, through which the tape cassette is introduced into or removedfrom the front side of the cassette holder which faces the front side ofthe tape cassette held by the cassette holder 65. The bottom side of thecassette holder 65 is opened for exposing the bottom of the tapecassette inserted into the cassette holder. The cassette holder 65 hasboth ends of its front side supported for rotation relative to thechassis and can be rotated about the supporting point as the center ofrotation in directions towards and away from the chassis.

The tape cassette is introduced into or removed from the cassette holder65 through the opened back side of the cassette holder 65 after thecassette holder is rotated to a position spaced apart from the chassis.The cassette holder 65, having the tape cassette introduced and heldtherein, is rotated in the direction shown by arrow L in FIG. 2, aboutthe supporting point thereof to the chassis as the center of rotation,for loading the tape cassette on the cassette loading unit provided onthe chassis. When the tape cassette is loaded on the cassette loadingunit, the reel driving shafts 19, 23 are introduced into and engagedwith reel driving shaft engagement through-holes 121, 121. The cassetteholder 65 is also provided with means for rotating the lid 118 forexposing the front surface of the cassette half 103. That is, thecassette holder 65 is provided on the inner surface of its front sidewith a lid guide which abuts against the lid 118 of the tape cassettebeing introduced for rotating the lid 118 as the tape cassetteintroducing operation proceeds.

Thus, when loaded on the cassette loading unit provided on the chassis,the tape cassette introduced into and held by the cassette holder 65 hasthe reel driving shafts 19, 23 introduced into and engaged with the reeldriving shaft engagement through-holes 121, 121. The front side of thecassette half 103 is also opened for exposing a portion of the magnetictape 108 running across the tape reels 106, 107.

The tape recorder according to the present invention is provided with aslide base 1 in the form of a flat plate adapted for supporting therotary head unit 25 for reciprocating movement with respect to the tapecassette. The slide base 1 is arranged forwardly of the cassette holder65, and is arranged on the chassis so as to be movable towards and awayfrom the cassette holder 65. The rotary head unit 25, supported on theslide base 1, is provided with an upper stationary drum 26 and a lowerstationary drum 63, which are cylindrically-shaped and stacked coaxiallywith each other, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Between these stationarydrums 26 and 63 is rotatably mounted a rotary drum 27 coaxially with thestationary drums 26 and 63. A magnetic head 64 is mounted on the rotarydrum 27 with its distal end side magnetic gap slightly protruded fromthe outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 27. The rotary drum 27,carrying the magnetic head 64, is rotated by a drum driving motor, notshown, provided within the lower stationary drum 63, for rotationallydriving the magnetic head 64.

A drum assembly, formed of the stationary drums 26, 63 and the rotarydrum 27, is mounted with a slight tilt relative to the slide base 1.

When the slide base 1 is advanced towards the cassette holder 65, in adirection indicated by arrow U in FIG. 1, with the tape cassette loadedon the cassette loading unit, the rotary head unit 25 extends into thecassette unit 103 at the opened front side of the cassette unit 103. Therotary head unit 25, thus extended into the inside of the cassette unit103, causes the magnetic tape 108, facing the front side of the cassetteunit 103, to be wrapped over the outer periphery of the stationary drums26, 63 and the rotary drum 27 at a predetermined angle. The rotary drum27 is rotated by a drum driving motor, while the reel driving shafts 19,23 are rotated for rotating the tape reels 106, 107 for moving themagnetic tape 108. Thus the magnetic head 64 slidingly contacts themagnetic tape 108 for recording information signals on the magnetic tape108 via the magnetic head 64 or reproducing information signalspreviously recorded on the magnetic tape 108. The recording track formedof recording signals is produced by the magnetic head 64 slidinglycontacting the magnetic tape 108 which is slanted at a predeterminedangle relative to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape 108.That is, with the present tape recorder, the information signals arerecorded and/or reproduced in accordance with the helical scan system.

Information is exchanged between the rotary head unit 25 and themagnetic head 64 by means of a rotary transformer, not shown, providedbetween the rotary drum 27 and the upper stationary drum 26 and theflexible substrate 34 connected to the upper stationary drum 26.

A pair of capstans 7, 14 are mounted on the rotary head unit 25 by apair of capstan supporting arms 28, 29. The capstan 7 mounted on thecapstan supporting arm 28 is used for running the magnetic tape 108 at aconstant velocity in the forward direction, while the capstan 14 mountedon the capstan supporting arm 29 is used for running the magnetic tape108 at a constant velocity in the reverse direction. the capstansupporting arms 28, 29, carrying the capstans 7, 14, are mounted byhaving their proximal ends pivotally mounted by pivots 61, 72 set on theupper end face of the upper stationary drum 26, so that the arms 28, 29may be rotated about the pivots 61, 72 as the center of rotation, asshown in FIG. 6. The capstan supporting arms 28, 29 have their proximalsides carrying the capstans 7, 14 protruded laterally of the rotary headunit 25.

The capstans 7, 14 are mounted by having their upper ends supported bythe capstan supporting arms 28, 29, respectively, so that the capstansdepend from these capstan supporting arms 28, 29. The capstans 7, 14 arerotatable relative to the capstan supporting arms 28, 29. On theproximal sides of the capstans 7, 14, a capstan gear 6 for forwardrotation of the capstans 7, 14 and a capstan gear 7 for reverse rotationof the capstans 7, 14 are mounted, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Since the capstans 7, 14 are supported by the capstan supporting arms28, 29, which are in turn rotatably mounted about the pivots 61, 62provided on the rotary head unit 25, the capstans 7, 14 are moved as aresult of rotation of the capstan supporting arms 28, 29 about thepivots 61, 72 as the center of rotation.

It is noted that the capstan shafts 7, 14 are supported by the capstansupporting arms 28, 29 to face the pinch rollers 104, 105 of the tapecassette loaded on the cassette loading unit.

The rotary head unit 25 is fitted with a pair of wing guides 30, 31.These wing guides 30, 31 are mounted on both sides of the stationarydrums 26, 63 of the rotary head unit 25 so as to be protruded towardsthe front side of the rotary head unit facing the cassette holder 65, asshown in FIG. 2. Each of the wing guides 30, 31 has its front end facingthe cassette holder 65 and is formed as a column having its axisparallel to the center axis of the rotary drum 27. When the tapecassette is loaded on the cassette loading unit; and the slide base 1,carrying the rotary head unit 25, is advanced towards the tape cassette,the wing guides 30, 31 are abutted against wing guide rests 122, 123provided within the cassette unit 103. The wing guides 30, 31, abuttedagainst the wing guide rests 122, 123, position the rotary head unit 25relative to the cassette unit 103, while controlling the runningdirection of the magnetic tape 108.

On the slide base 1, carrying the rotary head unit 25, plural gears arerotatably mounted for transmitting the rotation of the drum drivingmotor to the capstan shafts 7, 14 and to the reel driving shafts 19, 23,as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, the drum driving motor causesrotation of a driving gear 2 mounted on a driving shaft 2a in thedirection shown by arrow A in FIGS. 2 and 3. The driving gear 2 mesheswith a fist transmission gear 3 rotatably arranged on the slide base 1.The first transmission gear 3 is formed coaxially with and as one withsecond and third transmission gears 4 and 5. The second transmissiongear 4 meshes with capstan gear 6. Since the second transmission gear 4has its supporting shaft coaxially arranged with the pivot 61 of thecapstan supporting arm 28 for forward movement, the second transmissiongear 4 is continually engaged with the capstan gear 61 for forwardmovement even if the capstan supporting arm 28 for forward movement isrotated about the pivot as the center of rotation. The thirdtransmission gear 5 meshes with a fourth transmission gear 8 rotatablyarranged on the slide base 1 and the fourth transmission gear 8 mesheswith a fifth transmission gear 9 rotatably arranged on the slide base 1.The fifth transmission gear 9 is comprised of a larger diameter gearpart 9a and a smaller diameter gear part 9b which is coaxially andintegrally formed with the gear part 9a and which meshes with the fourthtransmission gear 8. The larger diameter gear part 9a of the fifthtransmission gear 9 meshes with a sixth transmission gear 12 rotatablyarranged on the slide base 1. The sixth transmission gear 12 iscomprised of a smaller diameter gear part 12b and a larger gear part 12awhich is coaxially and integrally formed with the gear part 12b andwhich meshes with the fifth transmission gear 9. The smaller diametergear part 12b of the sixth transmission gear 12 meshes with a capstangear 13 for reverse movement. Since the sixth transmission gear 12 hasits supporting shaft 11 coaxially arranged as the pivot 62 of thecapstan supporting arm 29 for reverse movement, the smaller diameterpart 12b is continually engaged with the reverse capstan gear 13, eventhough the reverse capstan supporting arm 29 is rotated about the pivot62 as the center of rotation.

The fourth transmission gear 8 meshes with a seventh transmission gear15 rotatably arranged on the forward side of the slide base 1 facing thecassette holder 65, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The seventh transmissiongear 15 meshes with an eighth transmission gear 20 rotatably arranged onthe forward side end of the slide base 1 in a side-by-side relationrelative to the seventh transmission gear 15.

That is, when the drum driving motor is in operation, the capstan shaft7 for forward movement is rotated in a direction of running the magnetictape 108 in the forward direction, as shown by arrow F in FIGS. 2 and 3.The capstan shaft 19 for reverse movement is rotated in a direction ofrunning the magnetic tape 108 in the reverse direction, as shown byarrow J in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the drum driving motor is in operation,the seventh and eighth transmission gears 15, 20 remain in rotation.

Forward and reverse conjunctive connecting arms 68, 70 are rotatablymounted on the slide base 1, as shown in FIG. 9. The forward slideconjunctive connecting arm 68 has its mid portion supported by a pivot69 set on the slide base 1 so as to be rotatable about the pivot 69 asthe center of rotation. The forward side conjunctive connecting arm 68has its one end extended to be projected towards the cassette holder 65and its other end conjunctively connected to the capstan supporting arm28 for forward movement. That is, a conjunctive connecting pin 72 is setupright on the opposite end of the forward side conjunctive connectingarm 68 and is engaged in an elongated opening 74 bored in the forwardcapstan supporting arm 28. The conjunctive connecting arm 70 for reversemovement has its mid portion supported by a pivot 71 set upright on theslide base 1 so that the arm 70 may be rotated about the pivot 71 as thecenter of rotation. The conjunctive connecting arm 70 for reversemovement has its one end extended so as to be projected towards thecassette holder 65 and its other end conjunctively connected to thecapstan supporting arm 29 for reverse movement. More specifically, aconjunctive connecting pin 73 is set upright on the opposite end of theconjunctive connecting arm 70 for reverse movement and engaged in anelongated opening 75 bored in the capstan supporting arm 29 for reversemovement. A tension spring 67 is mounted between one and of theconjunctive connecting arms 68, 70 for rotationally biasing theconjunctive connecting arms 68, 70 in a direction in which therespective ends of the connecting arms 68, 70 approach each other.

A fast feed/rewind mode selecting lever 55, is mounted on the chasisfirst and second tape dimming direction changer gears 16, 7. This lever55 sets the running state of the magnetic tape, a head moving arm 35 anda cam gear 44 for moving the above components depending upon theselected mode, in addition to the tape running direction setting lever48, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. These components comprise a changeoverdriving mechanism for controlling the changeover of the runningdirection of the magnetic tape 108 in the present tape recorder.

The cam gear 44 of the changeover driving mechanism is rotatablysupported by means of a pivot 76 on the chassis and run in rotation by adriving motor, not shown. On the major surface of the cam gear 44 areformed first and second cam grooves 45, 46, wherein the first cam groove45 causes movement of the head moving arm 35 therein and the second camgroove 46 causes movement of the tape running direction setting lever 48and the fast feed/rewind mode selecting lever 55 for selectively settingone of the stop mode, fast feed mode, rewind mode, pause mode, forwardrecording and/or playback mode and reverse recording and/or playbackmode.

The tape running direction setting lever 48, including the changeoverdriving mechanism and the cam gear 44, is supported by pivots 57, 58 setupright on the chassis engaged in elongated openings 57a, 58a, as shownin FIG. 4. As a result thereof the lever 48 is slid in a directionparallel to a line interconnecting the reel driving shafts 19, 23 bybeing guided by the pivots 57, 58 within the extent of these elongatedopenings 57a, 58a. The tape running direction setting lever 48 has a camfollower 47 set upright on its one end engaged in the second cam groove46. During the recording mode and during the playback mode, the taperunning setting lever 48 is moved in one or the other direction by thecam gear 44 depending on the running direction of the magnetic tape 108.

The tape running direction setting lever 48 has the lug 66 protruded ina space between the conjunctive connecting arms 68, 70, as shown in FIG.9. The lug 66 thus protruded into the space between the arms 68 and 70is clamped between the opposite ends of the conjunctive connecting arms68 and 70 rotationally biased under the force of the tension spring 67.Thus the conjunctive connecting arms 68, 70, interconnected by means ofthe tension spring 67, are rotated in unison about the pivots 61, 62 asthe center of rotation in the sliding direction of the tape runningdirection setting lever 48.

On the other hand, the tape running direction setting lever 48 isengaged with a tape running direction changeover gear supporting arm 49rotatably supporting the tape running direction changeover gears 16 and17. These tape running directions changeover gears 16 and 17 arelarge-diameter and small-diameter gears, formed integrally and coaxiallywith each other, and rotatably mounted on one end of the tape runningdirection changeover gear supporting arm 49, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.The tape running direction changeover gear supporting arm 49 has its midportion supported by a pivot 50 set upright on the chassis between thereel driving shafts 19 and 23 and is rotatable about the pivot 50 as thecenter of rotation, as shown in FIG. 5. The tape running directionchangeover gear supporting arm 49 has its other end engaged with thetape running direction setting lever 48 so as to be rotated with slidingof the tape running direction setting lever 48.

The fast feed/rewind mode selecting lever 55, including the changeoverdriving mechanism, the cam gear 44 and the tape running directionsetting lever 48, has its elongated holes 59a, 60a engaged with thepivots 59, 60 set upright on the chassis, as shown in FIG. 5. The fastfeed/rewind mode selecting lever 55 is guided by the pivots 59, 60, soas to be moved within the extent of the elongated holes 59a, 60a in thedirections indicated by arrows X and Y in FIG. 5. The fast feed/rewindmode selecting lever 55 has at its one end a cam follower 56 engaged inthe second cam groove 46 in the cam gear 44. When the fast feed mode andthe rewind mode are selected, the fast feed/rewind mode selecting lever55 is moved in the directions shown by arrows X and Y in FIG. 5 by therotation of the cam gear 44. The fast feed/rewind mode selecting lever55 is formed with protrusions 53a, 54a abutted against protrusions 53,54 formed on the tape rewind side gear supporting arm 51 and the tapesupply side gear supporting arm 52, respectively. The fast feed/rewindmode selecting lever 55 is slid in the directions of arrows X or Y inFIG. 5 for selectively rotating the tape rewind side gear supporting arm51 and the tape supply side gear supporting arm 52.

The head movement arm 35 has its mid portion supporting by a pivot 36set upright on the chassis and is rotated about the pivot 36 as thecenter of rotation, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The head movement arm 35has an engagement pin 37 at its one end engaged in an engagement opening38 in the slide base 1 and also has an engagement recess 38 at its otherend engaged by a transmission pin 40 set upright on one end of atransmission arm 41. The transmission arm 41 has its mid portionsupported by a pivot 42 set upright on the chassis so that the arm 41may be rotated about the pivot 42 as the center of rotation. Theopposite side of the transmission arm 41 has a cam follower 43 engagedin a first cam groove 45 of the cam gear 44. Upon rotation of the camgear 44, the head movement arm 35 is rotated about the pivot 36 as thecenter of rotation for moving the slide base 1 carrying the rotary headunit 25 between a receded position in which the rotary head unit 25 isspaced apart from the tape cassette loaded on the cassette loading unitand an advanced position in which the rotary head unit 25 is extendedinto the inside of the cassette unit 103 of the tape cassette.

It is noted that the cam groove 45 and a second cam groove 46 of the camgear 44 have been designed such that portions of the cam grooves 45 and46 may be engaged by a cam follower 47 provided on the tape runningdirection setting lever 48, a cam follower 56 provided on the fastfeed/rewind mode selecting lever 55 and a cam follower 43 provided onthe transmission arm 41. These cam followers 47, 56 and 43 haveincreased or decreased distances from the center of the cam gear 44depending on the direction of the movement and are the components to bemoved in the selected modes. The cam grooves 45, 46 have also beendesigned such that those portions of the cam grooves 45 and 46 engagedby components not to be moved in the selected modes have a constantinitial distance from the center of the cam gear 44.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the cam gear 44 selects the pause mode at apoint P₀, while selecting the recording/reproducing mode in the forwarddirection and the recording/reproducing mode in the reverse direction ata point P₁ at an angular position 45° counterclockwise from the point P₀and at a point P₂ at an angular position 45° clockwise from the pointP₀, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cam gear 44 selects the stop mode at a point P₃at an angular position 180° from the point P₀, while selecting the fastfeedmode and the rewind mode at a point P₄ at an angular position 45°counterclockwise from the point P₃ and at a point P₅ at an angularposition 45° clockwise from the point P₃, respectively.

With the above-described tape recorder according to the presentinvention, the slide base 1 is positioned during the stop mode at areceded position removed from the tape cassette loaded on the camloading unit, as shown in FIG. 5. The tape running direction settinglever 48 and the fast feed/rewind mode selecting lever 55 are positionedat a mid position along the movement direction. That is, the taperunning direction changeover gear supporting arm 49 has moved the taperunning direction changeover gears 16, 17 at an inactivated positionwhich is at a mid position between the reel driving shafts 19 and 23.The tape rewind side gear supporting arm 51 and the tape supply sidegear supporting arm 52 are positioned with the fourth and fifth reelgears 32, 21 supported thereby at the positions spaced from the seventhand eighth transmission gears 15 and 20, respectively.

When the tape cassette is loaded on the cassette loading unit and thefast feed mode is selected, the slide base 1 is kept at a recededposition spaced apart from the tape cassette loaded on the cassetteloading unit. The tape running direction setting lever 48 is alsomaintained at the mid position in the movement direction. During thefast feed mode, the fast feed/rewind mode selecting lever 55 is slid ina direction indicated by arrow Y in FIG. 5. If the fast feed mode isselected, the drum driving motor is rotated. By the fast feed/rewindmode selecting lever 55 being slid in the above direction, the taperewind side gear supporting arm 51 is rotated for engaging the fourthreel gear 32 supported by the arm 51 with the seventh transmission gear15. If the drum driving motor is driven in this state for rotating thetape takeup side reel shaft 19, the tape takeup side reel 106 engagedwith the reel driving shaft 19 is rotated for rewinding the magnetictape 108 on the tape reel 106 at an increased speed.

If the rewind mode is selected, as when the fast feed mode is selected,the slide base 1 is maintained in such a position in which the slidebase remains at the receded position spaced apart from the tape cassetteloaded on the cassette loading unit. The tape running direction settinglever 48 is also maintained at the mid position along the movementdirection. When the rewind mode is selected, the drum driving motor isrun in rotation. By the fast feed rewind mode selecting lever 55 beingslid in the opposite direction indicated by arrow X in FIG. 5, the tapesupply side gear supporting arm 52 is rotated for engaging the fifthreel gear 32 supported thereby with the eighth transmission gear 20. Thedrum driving motor is driven under this condition for rotating the tapesupply side reel driving shaft 23, whereby the tape supply side tapereel 107 engaged with the reel driving shaft 23 is rotated for rewindingthe magnetic tape 108 on the tape reel 107 at an increased speed.

During the pause mode, the slide base 1 is moved as far as the advancedposition in a direction shown by arrow U in FIG. 4 of approaching thetape cassette loaded on the cassette loading unit. At this time, thetape running direction setting lever 48 and the fast feed/rewind modeselecting lever 55 are at the mid positions along the movementdirection. That is, the tape running direction changeover gearsupporting arm 49 is positioned with the tape running directionchangeover gears 16, 17, being at an inactivated position intermediatebetween the reel driving shafts 19 and 23. The tape rewind side gearsupporting arm 51 and the tape supply side gear supporting arm 52 arepositioned with the fourth and fifth reel gears 32, 21 supported therebyspaced apart from the seventh and eighth transmission gears 15 and 20.

During the recording and/or reproducing mode in the forward direction,as shown in FIG. 4, the slide base 1 is moved towards the advancedposition of approaching the tape cassette loaded on the cassette loadingunit in a direction shown by arrow U in FIG. 4. At this time, the fastfeed/rewind mode selecting lever 55 is at a mid position along themovement direction. With the recording and/or reproducing mode in theforward direction, the tape running direction setting lever 48 is slidin the opposite direction indicated by arrow O in FIG. 10. If therecording/reproducing mode in the forward direction is selected, thedrum driving motor is set into operation. As a result of the taperunning direction setting lever 48 being slid in the opposite directionindicated by arrow O in FIG. 10, the tape running direction changeovergear supporting arm 49 is rotated for engaging the first tape runningdirection changeover gear 16 supported thereby with the secondtransmission gear 15 and for engaging the first tape running directionchangeover gear 16 with the first reel gear 18. The drum driving motoris driven in this state for rotating the tape takeup side reel 106engaged with the reel driving shaft 19 for rewinding the magnetic tape108 on the tape reel 106.

If the recording/reproducing mode in the forward direction is selected,the conjunctive connecting arms 68, 70 are rotated as shown in FIG. 10.Upon rotation of these conjunctive connecting arms 68, 70, the capstansupporting arm 28 for forward movement is rotated towards the tapecassette in the direction indicated by arrow P in FIG. 10, with thecapstan 7 for forward movement being pressure contacted with the pinchroller 104 for forward movement. The magnetic tape 108 is pinched by thecapstan 7 and the pinch roller 104 and run in the forward directionindicated by arrow S in FIG. 10.

With the rotary head unit 25 positioned by the cassette unit 103,information signals may be recorded on or reproduced from the magnetictape 108 running at a constant velocity by the magnetic head 64.

During the recording and/or reproducing mode in the reverse direction,as during the recording and/or reproducing mode in the forwarddirection, the slide base 1 is moved towards the advanced position inthe direction of approaching the tape cassette loaded on the cassetteloading unit as indicated by arrow U in FIG. 4. The fast feed/rewindmode selecting lever 55 is at a mid position along the movementdirection. During the recording and/or reproducing mode in the reversedirection, the tape running direction setting lever 48 is slid in adirection shown by arrow Q in FIG. 11. In addition, if therecording/reproducing mode in the reverse direction is selected, thedrum driving motor is set into operation. By the tape running directionsetting lever 48 being slid in the direction shown by arrow Q in FIG.11, the tape running direction changeover gear supporting arm 49 isrotated for engaging the first tape running direction changeover gear 16supported thereby with the eighth transmission gear 20. The drum drivingmotor is run under this condition for running the tape supply side tapereel 107 engaged with the reel driving shaft 23 in order to rewind themagnetic tape 108 on the tape reel 107.

If the recording/reproducing mode in the reverse direction is selected,the conjunctive connecting arms 68, 70 are rotated as indicated in FIG.11. Upon such rotation of these arms 68, 70, the reverse capstansupporting arm 29 is rotated towards the tape cassette in a directionbeing pressure contacted with the pinch roller 105 for the reversedirection. The magnetic tape 108 is pinched by the capstan 14 and thepinch roller 105 for running the magnetic tape 108 at a constantvelocity in a direction indicated by arrow T in FIG. 11.

With the rotary head unit 25 being positioned by the cassette unit 103,information signals may be recorded on or reproduced from the magnetictape 108 run at a constant velocity by the magnetic head 64.

With the present tape recorder, the force of selectively pressing thecapstan arbors 7, 14 on the pinch rolls 104, 105 within the tapecassette is produced by the force of the tension spring 67 rotationallybiasing the conjunctive connecting arms 68, 70. That is, the force bywhich the tape running direction setting lever 48 is slid is preventedfrom being directly applied to the rotary head unit 25 for preventingthe rotary head unit 25 from being deviated in its position relative tothe cassette unit 103.

Meanwhile, the present tape recorder, adapted for recording and/orreproducing digital data, is of the type ion which tracking control ofcausing the magnetic head to follow the recording track carryingpre-recorded information signals is not performed. The digital data isread out after re-arrying based upon address signals recorded in theinformation signals read out by the magnetic head. The read-out digitaldata is subsequently demodulated into analog signals which arereproduced.

The present tape recorder has the function of automatically reversingthe running direction of the magnetic tape 108 for providing forrecording and playback of the information signals.

The operation of automatically reversing the running direction of themagnetic tape 108 during recording of the information signals is nowexplained. That is, if the magnetic tape 108 is run in one direction,that is in the forward direction as indicated by arrow S in FIG. 12, andthe magnetic head of the rotary head unit 25 is brought into slidingcontact with the magnetic tape 108, by way of recording the informationsignals, a number of slanted recording tracks 124 are formed on an upperhalf width portion of the magnetic tape 108 for recording theinformation signals, as shown in FIG. 12. As the training end of themagnetic tape 108 is detected by a tape end detector provided in thetape recorder, the tape running direction changeover switch ischangedover for automatically reversing the tape running direction. As aresult of the automatic tape running direction reversing operation, theforward running of the magnetic tape 108 is transiently stopped and thetape running direction setting lever 48 constituting the changeoverdriving mechanism which changes over the running direction of themagnetic tape 108 is slid in a direction indicated by arrow Q in FIG.11. In addition, the tape running direction changeover gear supportingarm 49 is rotated for engaging the first tape running directionchangeover gear 16 supported thereby with the eighth transmission gear20 and for engaging the second tape running direction changeover gear 17with the third reel gear 22. The tape supply side reel driving shaft 23is rotated in order to enable the magnetic tape 108 to be run in thereverse direction as indicated by arrow T in FIG. 12.

If the tape running direction setting lever 48 is slid in the directionas indicated by arrow Q in FIG. 11, the conjunctive connecting arms 68,70 are rotated as shown in FIG. 11 and the capstan supporting arm 29 forthe reverse direction is rotated in the direction as indicated by arrowR in FIG. 11, whereby the capstan 14 for reverse direction is pressurecontacted with the pinch roller 105 for the reverse direction. Themagnetic tape 108 is clamped by the capstan 14 and the pinch roller 105and run at a constant velocity in the reverse direction as indicated byarrow T in FIG. 11. By the magnetic tape 108 being run in the reversedirection, and by the magnetic head of the rotary head unit 25 beingrotated, the magnetic tape 108 is slidingly contacted with the magnetichead, and a number of slanted recording tracks 125 are formed in thelower half width portion of the magnetic tape 108, information signalsmay be continuously recorded in the forward and reverse directions.

Meanwhile, if the magnetic tape 108 is run at a constant velocity in theforward direction indicated by arrow S and in the reverse direction byarrow T in FIG. 12, plural slanted recording tracks 124, 125 aresequentially formed on the upper and lower half width portions of themagnetic tape 108, as described hereinabove. In each of the slantedrecording tracks 124 or the slanted recording tracks 125, a large numberof, for example, hundreds of blocks, are recorded as a frame. One ofthese blocks is used as a control block CLT for recording the blockaddress information for detecting the reversing mark information or theblock address information for detecting an optimum reversing position.

For recording the reversing mark information in the control block CLT inthe recording tracks 124, 125, a reversing mark signal is generated froma reversing mark generator, responsive to the entry of a detectionoutput of a tape end detector, during the recording mode of running themagnetic tape 108 at the constant velocity and recording the informationsignals on the tape 108. The reversing mark signal is recorded on themagnetic tape 108 along with the information signals to be recorded onthe tape 108. The reversing mark signal indicates that the magnetic tape108 is approaching its reversing position.

With the playback mode in the forward direction of the present taperecorder, (wherein the magnetic tape 108, including the reversal markinformation and the block address information recorded in its controlblock CLT, is run in the forward direction for reproducing the recordedinformation), the block address information recorded on the recordingtrack 125 in the reverse direction is detected and compared to the blockaddress information recorded on the recording track 125 of the reversedirection in order to detect the tape end of the magnetic tape 108 andthereby determine the reversing position for automatically reversing thetape running direction.

Meanwhile, it is unnecessary to detect the tape end of the runningmagnetic tape 108 based upon the block address information recorded onthe control block CLT in recording tracks 124, 125. Instead, suchdetection may be achieved using the results of arithmetic-logicaloperations employing the information concerning the rotation of the reeldriving shafts 7, 14 rotationally driving the tape reels 106, 107.

In JP Patent Kokao Publication No. 5-38379 a more specific arrangementof automatically reversing the running direction of the magnetic tapefor reproducing information signals continuously recorded on themagnetic tape in both the forward and reverse directions is described.

With the recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shapedrecording medium according to the present invention, a pair ofsupporting members are rotated depending on the running direction of thetape-shaped recording medium and one of the capstans is selectivelymoved towards one of a pair of pinch rollers so that the tape-shapedrecording medium is clamped between the capstan and the pinch roller andthe tape-shaped recording medium is run by cooperation between thecapstan and the pinch roll. Thus the tape-shaped recording medium may berun in both the forward and reverse directions for continuouslyrecording and/or reproducing information signals without the necessityof performing a reversing operation of the tape cassette accommodatingthe tape-shaped recording medium.

In addition, the force of actuation of the changeover driving mechanismfor changing over the running direction of the tape-shaped recordingmedium is prevented from being directly applied to the rotary head unitwhich is adapted for being moved towards and away from the tape-shapedrecording medium. In this matter it is possible to suppress deviation inthe relative sliding contact position between the tape-shaped recordingmedium and the rotary head unit. Consequently, the state of relativesliding contact between the rotating head and the tape-shaped recordingmedium may be constantly maintained even if the running direction of thetape-shaped recording medium is switched, so that stable recordingand/or reproduction of the information signals may be achieved in orderto achieve improved recording/playback characteristics.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for atape-shaped recording medium which runs in either a forward or a reversemovement direction, said recording and/or reproducing apparatuscomprising:a rotary head unit including a rotary drum and a stationarydrum coaxially mounted with and rotatably supported by said rotary drum,said rotary drum having a head mounted thereon and upon rotation forcessaid head into sliding contact with the tape-shaped recording medium runin either the forward or the reverse movement direction; a pair ofsupporting members rotatably supported and secured by said rotary headunit; a pair of capstans with each capstan being rotatably supported andsecured by one of said supporting members; a pair of pinch rollersarranged facing said capstans; and said supporting members being rotatedin response to movement of said tape-shaped recording medium in eitherthe forward or the reverse direction for selectively moving one of thecapstans towards one of the pinch rollers, with the selected capstanengaging and moving the tape-shaped recording medium in cooperation withthe selected pinch roller.
 2. The recording and/or reproducing apparatusfor a tape-shaped recording medium as claimed in claim 1 and furthercomprising:a slide base supporting said rotary head unit, said slidebase being movable in a direction to move said rotary head unit into andout of contact with said tape-shaped recording medium, said slide basewhen moved causing said rotary head unit to be moved into contact withand moved away from the tape-shaped recording medium; a runningdirection setting lever moved in a predetermined movement directionthereof depending on the movement direction of said tape-shapedrecording medium; and conjunctive connecting arms rotatably supported bysaid slide base for conjunctively connecting said running directionsetting lever to each of the supporting members supporting one of saidcapstans, said conjunctive connecting arms selectively rotating one ofthe supporting members when said running direction setting lever ismoved, depending upon the movement direction of the running directionsetting lever.
 3. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for atape-shaped recording medium as claimed in claim 2 and furthercomprising:a cam member for moving said slide base, said cam memberhaving a first cam groove engaged with said running direction settinglever; said cam member when rotated causing said running directionsetting lever to be moved in the predetermined movement directionthereof and also causing said slide base to be moved in a direction inwhich the rotary head unit is moved into contact with or moved away fromthe tape-shaped recording medium.
 4. The recording and/or reproducingapparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium as claimed in claim 3 andfurther comprising:a running state setting lever for setting the fastfeed state or the rewind state of said tape-shaped recording medium;said running state setting lever being engaged in said first cam groovein said cam member and being moved in the predetermined movementdirection thereof upon rotation of said cam member.
 5. The recordingand/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium asclaimed in claim 3 and further comprising:a link mechanism for shiftingsaid slide base upon rotation of said cam member in the direction inwhich the rotary head unit is moved into contact with or moved away fromthe tape-shaped recording medium, and a second cam groove in said cammember which is engaged by said link mechanism.
 6. A recording and/orreproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium which runs ineither a forward or a reverse movement direction, said recording and/orreproducing apparatus comprising:a rotary head unit including a rotarydrum and a stationary drum coaxially mounted with and rotatablysupported by said rotary drum, said rotary drum having a head mountedthereon and being rotated, after insertion into a tape cassetteaccommodating said tape-shaped recording medium through a front sideopening thereof, for effecting relative sliding contact between the headand the tape-shaped recording medium run in either a forward movementdirection or in a reverse movement direction; a pair of reel drivingshafts engaging a pair of reel hubs mounted within said tape cassetteand carrying said tape-shaped recording medium, said reel driving shaftsrotating said reel hubs for running said tape-shaped recording medium inthe forward movement direction or in the reverse movement direction; apair of supporting members each having a capstan rotatably mounted andsecured at distal ends thereof to face a respective one of a pair ofpinch rollers arranged within the tape cassette, said supporting membershaving a proximal end thereof rotatably supported by said rotary headunit; and a changeover driving mechanism for selectively driving saidreel driving shafts for selectively changing over the movement directionof the tape-shaped recording medium in said tape cassette, saidchangeover driving mechanism selectively rotating one of the pair ofsupporting members based on the movement direction of the tape-shapedrecording medium for engaging and moving the tape-shaped recordingmedium by one of the capstans and said pinch roller.
 7. The recordingand/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium asclaimed in claim 6 wherein said changeover driving mechanism has a pairof conjunctive connecting members engaged in said pair of supportingmembers for selectively rotating said pair of supporting membersdepending upon the movement direction of said tape-shaped recordingmedium and a driving mechanism for selectively driving said pair ofconjunctive connecting members based upon the movement direction of saidtape-shaped recording medium.
 8. The recording and/or reproducingapparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium as claimed in claim 7wherein said changeover driving mechanism has a running directionsetting lever for selectively driving said pair of conjunctiveconnecting members depending upon the movement direction of thetape-shaped recording medium and a cam member for sliding the runningdirection setting lever in a movement direction thereof depending uponthe movement direction of the tape-shaped recording medium.
 9. Therecording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recordingmedium as claimed in claim 8 wherein said cam member has a cam grooveengaged with said running direction setting lever for sliding saidrunning direction setting lever in its direction of movement.
 10. Therecording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recordingmedium as claimed in claim 9 wherein said running state setting lever isengaged in said cam groove and selectively slid by said cam member. 11.The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recordingmedium as claimed in claim 8 wherein said changeover driving mechanismhas an oscillatable gear selectively engaged with said pair of reeldriving shafts for driving the reel driving shafts to feed thetape-shaped recording medium in either the forward movement direction orin the reverse movement direction at an increased speed and a runningstate setting lever for selectively engaging said oscillatable gear withsaid pair of reel driving shafts.
 12. A recording and/or reproducingapparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium which runs in either aforward or a reverse movement direction, said recording and/orreproducing apparatus comprising:a rotary head unit including a rotarydrum and a stationary drum coaxially mounted with and rotatablysupported by said rotary drum, said rotary drum having a head mountedthereon and upon rotation effects relative sliding contact between thehead and the tape-shaped recording medium run in either the forwardmovement direction or in the reverse movement direction; a pair of reeldriving shafts for rotationally driving said tape-shaped recordingmedium so that said recording medium is moved in the forward movementdirection or in the reverse movement direction; a pair of supportingmembers each having a capstan rotatably mounted at a distal end thereofto face one of a pair of pinch rollers and having the proximal endsthereof rotatably supported by said rotary head unit; and a changeoverdriving mechanism for selectively driving said reel driving shafts forselectively changing over the running direction of the tape-shapedrecording medium in said tape cassette, said changeover drivingmechanism selectively rotating one of the pair of supporting membersbased upon the movement direction of the tape-shaped recording mediumfor engaging and moving the tape-shaped recording medium by one of thecapstans and said pinch rollers, said changeover driving mechanism ondetection of an end of the tape-shaped recording medium automaticallyreversing the movement direction thereof.
 13. The recording and/orreproducing apparatus for a tape-shaped recording medium as claimed inclaim 12 wherein said changeover driving mechanism has a pair ofconjunctive connecting members engaged in said pair of supportingmembers for selectively rotating said pair of supporting membersdepending on the movement direction of said tape-shaped recording mediumand a driving mechanism for selectively driving said pair of conjunctiveconnecting members based on the movement direction of said tape-shapedrecording medium.
 14. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for atape-shaped recording medium as claimed in claim 13 wherein said drivingmechanism has a running direction setting lever for selectively drivingthe pair of conjunctive connecting members depending upon the movementdirection of the tape-shaped recording medium and a cam member forsliding the running direction setting lever in a movement directionthereof depending upon the movement direction of the tape-shapedrecording medium.
 15. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for atape-shaped recording medium as claimed in claim 13 and furthercomprising a slide base for moving the rotary head unit by said drivingmechanism in a direction in which the rotary head unit is moved intocontact with or moved away from the tape-shaped recording medium.